Walking through the gates and towards the tree line, Liruliniel eyed the surrounding area. She flicked her eyes to the princess beside her; she was looking around with wide eyes trying to take everything in. With gentle persuasion, Liruliniel had allowed the guards to let them out. She was expecting to be contradicted, but it didn't happen. It seemed with her new occupation came a new level of trust. But that unnerved Liruliniel slightly, what if she messed up? That trust would be for nothing, completely thrown away and honestly, she didn't want to the think about it.

Vanadessë quickly walked forwards from her side and looked around the high grown trees around them. They had walked a small distance, the palace was still in sight, and they were nowhere near the mountains. They passed few clearings, these got minutely looked upon by the blonde, otherwise she seemed quite happy to just totter around. Sometimes she'd lean down and admire whatever plant life sprung up from tree roots, other times Vanadessë would just stand looking upwards at the branches above.

Liruliniel just watched her, silent and with a hand on the hilt of her sword as she kept her guard up. Honestly, with the way Vanadessë was acting it was like she hadn't ever walked amongst a forest before. But then, if her previous home was like Liruliniel's, then perhaps there wasn't much chance to go for simple walks like this? That seemed a shame to her, if she wasn't allowed to walk and dwell amongst the trees, Liruliniel didn't know what she'd do. Or how she'd act, it was just natural to be out here surrounded by all this nature.

The air seemed fresher out here, in a small way. It was still stuffy; the natural humidity of so many trees just made it so. But, with a tilt of her head, Liruliniel was trying to sense anything more. The way she saw it, if she could figure more things out the better. Waiting for a letter was getting boring.

"What is this?" Vanadessë's voice piped up, Liruliniel hadn't even realised she had stopped. The princess had crouched down and was picking something up from the ground. She turned the whitish coloured thing in her hands, her face utterly confused with what she was looking at.

Liruliniel hesitantly moved to her side, she knelt down too. She eyed up the strings, the connecting webs with a frown and a falling feeling in her stomach. "That...this doesn't belong here." She looked around them, she narrowed her eyes and concentrated as hard as she could.

"But what is it?" Vanadessë got pulled to a stand gently by Liruliniel. She kept a grip on her upper arm gently though as she continued to assess the surroundings. Vanadessë was clearly not liking being kept in the dark as she said Liruliniel's name impatiently, she even pulled her arm free as Liruliniel's eyes went skyward.

"It must've come on the wind." Liruliniel's voice was distant as she slid her eyes to the object in the princess's hands. Vanadessë just stared at her, she looked impatient. "It's an egg."

"An egg?"

"Surely you have had lessons about creatures which dwell in our lands? Some authors were particularly detailed when writing, others enigmatic and ominous. That is an egg, Vanadessë. But the creatures which perhaps came from it, aren't here." Liruliniel took it from her hands. It felt soft, cruelly soft in a way which was more of an insult considering. "Have you ever seen a spider, Vanadessë?" Liruliniel's tone was low as she slowly looked at the blonde in front of her. She slowly shook her head in response, Liruliniel swallowed thickly. "Nor have I. But in a lesson, I had when I was a child, Lady Caladhiel's descriptions which she read from a battered looking book stayed with me. I had nightmares about these eight-legged monstrous things crawling through my windows and wrapping me in webs." Liruliniel looked back the way they had come, she sharply looked back around though and looked at Vanadessë. "We need to return. I'm sorry this wasn't the walk I had planned. But this is something...bad."

"Do you get a feeling from it?" Liruliniel looked at her with an odd expression. Vanadessë sighed, "A sense? You clearly have some form of higher senses than me, and others here."

Liruliniel looked at the almost crushed looking shell in her hands. "It's just cold." She said quietly, she hadn't a clue what Vanadessë was trying to get at exactly. Whatever her thing was, as far as Liruliniel knew, it wasn't controllable. She couldn't control her dreams, or nightmares, no more than she could sense something from an egg.

"Are they really that big?" Vanadessë decided to ask instead as she got gently nudged back to the palace. It was about half hour away, if that, they could make it back quickly if the princess hurried.

Liruliniel couldn't help it, the beautiful dress she wore was a hindrance within this terrain. Her skirt would snag; she'd have to haul her skirts up and Vanadessë just looked flustered from having to do this but also annoyed. Maybe she should have changed too? "In pictures I have seen them, yes." Liruliniel continued looking around, especially up. Because where else were the arachnids going to be? All that looked down at her in return though, was the different coloured leaves and the sunlight coming through them.

Everything looked clean and clear up there, no sign of webs at all. Which just signalled to Liruliniel she was right; this came on the wind. She highly doubted spiders had the intelligence to plan ahead. But what did she know? She only knew about them from lessons. Those lessons she paid attention to, what else inhabited the land alongside her interested her greatly. Even with the nightmares of such creatures which were more of a dark origin.

"You said it all happened back in your other home? Could that be a base?"

"I hate to think, and I am not one for wanting to find out. Any other time, sure. But not that. Anything but that." Liruliniel said, she didn't personally want to know what long exposure to this ebbing darkness would do to her. Yes, she was older, stronger, but its effects on her would no doubt still be strong. Even carrying this egg, she felt her heart clench like someone was gripping onto it. She supposed this was proof in a way that something wasn't right in Middle-earth.

"What will you do with it?"

"Well, I'm not keeping it as a souvenir that's for sure." She raised an eyebrow, "I'm sure he will soon get fed up with me and my constant ability to find or cause trouble, but King Oropher must know about this."

"Do you think there'll be any action?"

"Against an unknown enemy, well, one that hasn't been located, no. That would be foolish, it could end in catastrophe."

Vanadessë looked at her with a troubled expression as they walked through the threshold and back into the safety of the palace. "You make it sound like you already know who the enemy is." She whispered, that at least was the gist she was getting.

Liruliniel paused and looked at her, "I hope you don't find the library too boring. Maybe sometime we can go for a proper walk. Goodbye," she bowed and turned on her heels and left Vanadessë just standing there in a corridor. Liruliniel didn't see her displeased face, but she could feel the stare she was sending her way boring into her. Or at least she did until Liruliniel turned the corner and made her way to Oropher's study.

Did she know he was going to be in there? No, but ironically, she had a feeling he would be. Liruliniel for once seemed to be right, and after knocking on the door she got invited in. Oropher sat behind his desk, reading over something before looking at her. She simply placed the egg down on his desk, his face hardened.

His eyes darkened as he stared from the egg to her and then back again. He laid his hands flat on the thick wood beneath his hands before steepling his fingers and leaning against them slightly. His expression was still unreadable, but by how his eyes looked at her pointedly, she got it; he wanted answers.

"I went out for a walk and came across this. There were no others."

"You didn't explore to find any signs of them?" Oropher asked, his tone low and serious, matching his expression yet there was also a lingering hesitation.

"No." She paused and shifted from one foot to the other. "I wasn't alone, Princess Vanadessë was with me." Liruliniel was expecting cold, silent fury from this and she got it. If Oropher's eyes couldn't grow anymore icy, they just did. She physically felt a chill go down her spine, but also, for perhaps the real first time ever; found herself scared of the elf before her.

Oropher was without a doubt, totally entitled to being able to inflict such a feeling because of who and how he was. But he had never been that way to her. "You jeopardise more than yourself. You shouldn't have taken her with you, what if something had happened? Do you think you have the necessary skills to hand to deal with one spider? Perhaps, but they are sometimes seldom alone." Oropher said sounding utterly bitter and annoyed, low anger was very obvious in his tone.

"She wanted to go for a walk-"

"It doesn't matter if she suggested it, Liruliniel! Considering everything that has happened up until this point, did you not think for one second that what you were undertaking, could and may have ended horribly?"

"But she-"

"As a guard sometimes, you need to have the nerve to deter those you are guarding. To stand there, feet planted and say no. No for the sake of protecting those under your care. Princess Vanadessë is a part of our future, think before you act."

"It was her idea!"

"Do not raise your voice to me," Oropher easily countered Liruliniel's shouting with a dangerous calm that just made her more unnerved and irritated. He was listening to her, and he understood, but at the same time she was not listening to him in return. Their home was clearly not as safe as they believed, what part of Liruliniel thought it was wise taking a princess out into that? Oropher just presumed she didn't truly think.

Liruliniel shifted her weight and just looked at him with a firm frown on her face. "I wouldn't have let her get hurt."

Oropher sighed heavily, he felt slightly exhausted from this plus from the letter he was reading before she appeared. He almost sunk into the chair as he looked at her plainly. "I know you wouldn't. But I don't wish to say this, but you wouldn't stand a chance against a spider, Liruliniel. Not if it was fully grown, even if it was a small one it probably wouldn't be alone." He didn't doubt her loyalties or intentions, but she had a long way to go in her training. Yes, she was learning fast. But she was still a long way off.

She merely nodded, not taking his words to heart. "I just thought you should be alerted." She waved a hand nonchalantly at the white webbing sack on his desk. "I'll leave you now," she bowed slowly, standing back up she pushed her hair over her shoulder and looked at Oropher. "Unless there is something else?" Liruliniel questioned, Oropher was sitting there with a deeply concentrated expression on his face. Somehow, she got the feeling that something was weighing him down, and whatever that thing was, he was keeping it close to him.

Liruliniel stepped back as he made his way towards her as he moved around from behind his desk. He placed a hand on her shoulder and gestured to the door with the other. Liruliniel thought he was just seeing her out, yet she frowned a bit confused when he continued to follow closely beside her, hand still on her shoulder. It was like he thought she was going to suddenly bolt. She had no intentions of doing that, but the silence was starting to get to her.

What was happening for her king to suddenly look so grave? It surely wasn't what she had said or shouted at him. But maybe the spider egg had triggered something in him, she didn't know. However, one thing she did know, was that she wasn't expecting Oropher to say what he did; "Lord Elrond is drawing close." Liruliniel's head snapped to the side as her eyes looked widely up at him. So that was why he looked serious, a visitor was coming. "I heard word, earlier on in the day. A scout was sent ahead to inform us all that the small company he rides with would arrive by this evening."

"He surely hasn't come all this way, just to talk to me?" Liruliniel asked, her voice somewhat pleading really.

Oropher sighed, he shut his eyes for a moment while remaining silent. Eventually he looked back down at her, the hand slipped from her shoulder, and Liruliniel just waited. "You have dreams that could herald in a new era of doom, and here you are thinking that he wouldn't come all this way to talk to you. He has already encountered that which you dream of, Liruliniel. If there is truly anyone who'd understand, it is him."

Liruliniel swallowed thickly, she suddenly felt a bit lightheaded. "Does anyone else know he's coming?"

Oropher looked at her with a small smile. "Do you mean my son? Because if so, no. No, he doesn't."

"You know he won't like being kept in the dark." Which was a blatantly obvious statement which Oropher and Liruliniel exchanged a knowing and relative similar look over.

Oropher rolled his eyes, "It isn't his kingdom yet. Thranduil can be kept in the dark about certain aspects and meetings. He doesn't have to know everything." Liruliniel just smiled and nodded slowly, Oropher wasn't shutting his son out of this. But this whole thing revolved around a matter that he didn't understand - though, to be honest, Oropher was sure Thranduil's grasp, and quick thinking could figure it out, - but also; he wanted to keep his son out of such dangerous matters for as long as possible.

Liruliniel scrunched her nose up in thought as they walked to the main entranceway. She guessed they were going to stand here and greet the party head on. So much for her possibly being able to hide away somewhere and avoid this. She wasn't scared, but she was apprehensive; she was wary of hearing the truth. No one liked the truth, not really. Sometimes the truth was too much and too hard to deal with.

Though Oropher's words made her inwardly chuckle, there was something that was lingering in her mind; "You're not telling him, in case I have to leave."

The sigh which came from Oropher was heavy and begrudging. "You're close. He lost contact with your brother but gained your friendship instead. Do you not think you leaving would affect him?" Oropher questioned with another sigh, there was some things he could not protect his son from, heartbreak and sadness from losing a friend were two things.

Liruliniel narrowed her eyes and turned to look up at him fully. "So, I am leaving?" Everything about Oropher's words signalled as such. As if her heart couldn't feel anymore wrenched. A weight dropped in her stomach, and she felt like the air had been punched out of her lungs.

"Yes." There was no way around it. Oropher couldn't lie, he couldn't sugar coat this. There was literally no way to avoid coming out with the blunt truth. It wasn't his idea, but the points put across by Elrond couldn't be argued against.

He believed that it was perhaps for the best to take Liruliniel out of a place where exposure could worsen. But also, she could properly learn and interpret what she dreamt alongside himself. No one else had foresight that Oropher knew of, so it made perfect logical sense to send her away to learn everything she could, with the one person who already knew, well, nearly everything.

Liruliniel just turned and looked back outside, "When?"

"Tomorrow."

She looked upwards, feeling her eyes stinging. "I don't want to leave."

"I know you don't." Oropher said, glancing down at the smaller elf beside him. He could see she was trying to keep it together. "Going off on your own can be scary," Liruliniel looked at him with watery eyes, Oropher smiled kindly. "The unknown and the future are always scary things, Liruliniel. But you aren't alone. You're still surrounded by equals, by your own kin."

She sniffed quietly and wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands. "Were you scared when leading us down here?"

Oropher let out a quiet chuckle. "Of course I was. Advisers didn't agree with me; many tried to dissuade me. But I knew this was the right thing to do. I just knew it. Just like I think deep down you know you need to leave, if only to come back at another time. You want answers which you won't get tonight; nor will you ever get them if you stay here. You want to see the lands beyond our halls, which you'll be able to. You'll be trained still, only because you are from a different kingdom does not mean they will shun or ignore your training. There is a wealth of knowledge in Imladris, Liruliniel. And you'll be a fool to not seize the opportunity to grasp onto this."

She listened to him, and how his words made sense. "I can at least say farewell?"

Oropher looked at her slightly appalled. "As if I would ever dissuade you from doing such a thing." He wasn't going to send her away without saying goodbye to everyone who was close to her. Her family, his son, if Liruliniel just went it would detrimentally affect them all in the worst case possible. She looked thankful before just looking down at her boots with a sigh, Oropher raised an eyebrow and sighed slowly. "Go," she looked startled, Oropher just tilted his head. "Go, Liruliniel. I guess really you don't need to be here to welcome them. I will call for you when there is a meeting." That and Oropher knew the first thing they were going to want to do, was bathe and rest up before anything else. Oropher pinched the bridge of his nose when she just beamed at him and turned to run off. "Liruliniel?" He turned and called out her name, she turned with a skid. "He's in one of the garden areas."

Liruliniel just smiled and nodded sharply before running off again. She didn't think she had run so fast in her whole life. Other elves she passed looked at her oddly, yet she just continued going. The garden areas all connected in some way or another, they were just used as silent retreats, and some on the lower levels were used to let the horses and Arthion out. The elk had her almost tripping, she'd have to say bye to him too! But her main priority right now was the gardens. They weren't massive so if she couldn't spot Thranduil it wouldn't be hard to move on.

Although by the time she got to the doorway of the first, she practically fell through heaving breaths. She leaned against her knees and inhaled deeply before almost wheezing out an exhale. "Please don't keel over, some of us are enjoying the surroundings and would rather not step over you on the way out." A rather plain voice spoke from the side, Liruliniel peeked through her hair to spy the elf she was looking for just sitting on a bench with a book in his hands. He hadn't even looked up from his page, he simply turned the page with nimble fingers and remained straight backed and otherwise motionless.

Liruliniel didn't even see the point of asking how he knew it was her. She pushed away from her knees and walked over slowly, her heart was still beating away quickly, and her lungs hurt. She collapsed on the bench and slouched a bit, her back slinking down the wall behind her as her legs stretched out. She could feel the muscles tensing in them, did she really run that fast? She guessed she did, rolling her eyes and turning her head, she looked upwards. "What are you reading?"

Thranduil smirked slightly, ever so slightly. It was such a minute action it was like it barely happened. "Now I know you don't honestly care about my current reading material."

She pouted, "You read really dull things, that's why."

Thranduil snapped his book shut after making sure his page was marked. Turning and looking down at her with a frown, he merely tilted his head while she wiggled upright. "My point exactly. So, what's bought you here?"

"I like plants."

Thranduil rolled his eyes, he looked utterly bored by her response. "Yes, well, that I already knew."

"I was looking for you."

"That I already knew too."

"Don't you want to know why?"

"I was going to ask, but I had hoped you'd just be upfront for once." Thranduil said while turning and placing the book on his other side. He looked back to her only to frown when she looked at him sadly. "What's wrong? Have you had another dream?" His worry was rather evident in his voice as his blue eyes just looked her over, as if there was a physical injury he could aid in healing.

"Lord Elrond has arrived." Thranduil's reaction was rather similar to hers. A look of shock crossed his usually expressionless face as he looked at her disbelievingly. Liruliniel shook her head, she wasn't joking, and she showed as such. Liruliniel's smile turned watery as she looked at him, she shifted and turned on the bench. She tucked her legs underneath herself, even with her armour and boots, she was determined to sit like this. "Your father is welcoming him now, I'm certain of it."

"I didn't think he would come personally." Thranduil said in a quiet voice, which was true. He expected corresponding letters, all this business would just be conducted through writing, never in person. Maybe that was him being foolishly hopeful? He blinked his eyes and looked away from the plants before them, back to her. Liruliniel looked sad, like heartbrokenly sad. Thranduil fidgeted in his seat, "You're leaving."

Her pained expression just grew as her eyes watered, and she nodded her head quickly. Thranduil's voice failed him as he looked away from her slowly. He didn't know what to say. What was there to say? See you soon? Hope all goes well? Keep in touch, if you can? Inhaling sharply, Liruliniel wiped her eyes again and smiled as strongly as she could. "I think I have some learning to do, away from here. Learning and maybe a little growing up too."

Thranduil slid his eyes back to hers, from the corner of his eyes he could see her looking sad still. "When?"

"Tomorrow."

His heart just pinched. That seemed too soon. "Don't do too much growing up, I'm not sure anyone would recognise you if you actually started acting your age." He said with a growing smirk, Liruliniel gasped and reached up to hit him on the shoulder. Like most times, he easily caught her hand, and she sat there looking at him irritated.

"That is so funny, really." Liruliniel said while snatching her hand away with a sigh. She placed her hands in her lap and looked at them, she flexed the fingers of the one he held trying to memorise just that fond feeling.

"You came to me first, didn't you?" Thranduil could only surmise as such, he was sure if she had seen her family she'd be in tears. He could see she was trying to keep them at bay around him, Thalion and Hérion were going to break down that wall she had up.

She nodded, "I just...I think you needed to know first," she said thoughtfully with narrowed eyes as she looked at him. Thranduil looked a bit perplexed by that. "Thranduil, you're my best friend. I may not be yours, but you're mine. Not only that, but I also somehow get the feeling you wouldn't want to be the last one to know. But also, you wouldn't humour me when I ask you; do you think it's the right thing to do?" Liruliniel asked honestly, Oropher's words of how her presence being extracted from Thranduil's life hit her hard and was why he needed to know first.

Thranduil thought over her question for a few moments. He looked down at the ground before looking up and around the garden. It was made when they moved here, but it was no less beautiful. The trees predominantly took up most of the room of course, but it was still all lovely. "I fear if you stay here, you will grow unwell. Do I think going to Imladris will make it, so you won't ever encounter that darkness? No. You believed it was going to be all encompassing. But this could prolong the worst. You can go and learn under one of the most renowned elves in our lands, yes, learn how to read your dreams, but you are bound to pick up other things. It makes sense, Lord Elrond cannot stay here, and it seems you may not be able to either at the moment."

Liruliniel smiled, him and his father more or less said the same things. Their likeness would never grow old to her. But also, they were right. Ultimately, they were, she couldn't disagree. "Will you miss me?" She tilted her head curiously while looking at him.

Thranduil raised his eyebrows and looked at her a little distantly. He wasn't exactly one for having friends, but also, he didn't wholly know what it felt to lose one. Thalion wasn't lost, because he was still here. But Liruliniel was being lost to a path that seemingly only she could walk down for answers to questions only she held close.

He thought long and hard over her question, he thought over how irritating she was when she was younger; the acting out for attention from people around her because at the time she was the youngest. The fact that he humoured her at the best of times then didn't deter her from still hunting him out seemingly specifically at times, in those moments Thranduil believed she did it just to be annoying; but it was more than that, when truly thought over it was more than that.

Thranduil, being the king's son, was relatively lonely himself, and Liruliniel had evidently seen that loneliness and related. She had sought him out to become his friend because she clearly wanted to heal herself of feeling alone, but also him too. That was so unbelievably selfless, Thranduil did not know many who were like that, but that was so her. Even now with this news she told him above all others because she was trying to spare his feelings first. He came before her family, who did that? Who else would do that?

Fine, he and her had time apart, their friendship petered out a little, but it didn't take much to go back to old ways. He had missed a part of her life where Liruliniel grew up, she wasn't quite an adult yet, but she was verging on it just like himself. She now had responsibilities that were taking her away, and because of how determined she was, Thranduil knew she'd succeed in whatever.

"Yes." Thranduil replied after what felt like hours of patient silence. He couldn't deny it, he wasn't sure when he had got so used to her company always being around, but he had. He was trying to envision day to day life without her bounding around, and Thranduil couldn't. The thought had him frowning and his heart feeling like it had just plummeted down into his stomach.

Liruliniel grinned and clapped her hands together. Thranduil rolled his eyes, he shouldn't be surprised by her reaction to be honest he'd be more surprised if she didn't act like that. Although the last thing he expected was for her to take it a step further and wrap an arm around his shoulders and pull him close. The most contact they ever had was when he caught her hand, this was something else completely.

"I will miss you too," the impromptu embrace came to an end with her standing with a jump and standing to look back at him. He just looked up at her slightly lost, that was a conflicting action which didn't help his current thoughts and feelings on this whole matter. "I guess I better go find everyone else. Want to come too?"

Thranduil sighed and patted his knees before standing and turning to collect his book. He gestured a hand to the door which she previously just fell through, Liruliniel smiled and nodded before turning to walk beside him. She looked thankful to be doing this with someone else by her side. It was going to be hard for her to do so on her own, the least he could do as her appointed best friend was to be by her side.

=

Liruliniel hadn't ever met another elf-Lord before. But then again, she hadn't exactly met her king until these recent years. Those in the position of being higher-up, were allusive to her. Seeing them from a distance was the usual, never being up close and personal. How times had changed now, she stood with her arms crossed behind her back still in her guard attire. She had made an effort to make herself more presentable, that and Thranduil had said that if she was going to be discussing serious matters with Elrond, then she'd have to look ready for it.

She didn't get what he meant, and it took Vanadessë blatantly telling Liruliniel with a laugh that she had smudges of dirt on her cheeks, no doubt remnants from the spider's egg that she then itched her face and it transferred over. Not only that, but her hair also looked a bit tangled and windswept. Vanadessë had insisted on sorting that out, but she was not going to be like a mother hen and clean her dirty cheeks. That task was on Liruliniel, and Liruliniel alone.

For about half an hour Liruliniel sat wincing, grumbling, and looking annoyed while Thranduil took up reading his book again. Though he raised an eyebrow every now and again, and his eyes flicked sidelong at the pair. He had said that if she combed her hair regularly, she wouldn't have tangles. Which led to Liruliniel's response of; "Not all of us can have perfect hair, like you." This had made Vanadessë laugh behind her, she was clearly trying to keep her laughter down but with her laughing, Liruliniel joined in. Especially considering the blank look which came from Thranduil.

Liruliniel had done a lot of rushing about, she did comb her hair regularly, not that she was raising to the bait which he set. She took great efforts to present herself, despite what others may think or say otherwise. Her hair was a rich auburn that seemed to simmer like a low ebbing fire, in the sunlight there were lighter streaks, some varying from brown to almost blonde in certain light. The thick locks travelled down her back and rested against her hips. Most of the time she'd braid it all together, many small braids leading into one.

Having it down and out just wasn't practical in her mind, so why everyone didn't follow her thought process, she just didn't know. But she now had to allow Vanadessë to sort her hair out, and she seemed to not put it in her customary style. Vanadessë's nimble fingers had combed and braided and then patted her shoulders, deeming her ready. Most of Liruliniel's hair was down, two braids ran from her temples downwards and even as she stood in the small study, she could feel the rest of her hair weighing against her neck.

It just didn't feel right to her, but if the two royal elves nodded in agreement that she was ready, then who was she to question them? Although to be fair, they were perhaps two elves she could get away with questioning. In all honesty, Liruliniel was not sure what she was expecting; Elrond was not as she expected, but by the way his eyes assessed her, it was clear the feeling was mutual. She wasn't expecting such a serious faced elf, just like he wasn't expecting someone so young - that much was clear to both.

Although his expression was serious, almost severe as he clearly thought to himself, there was a lightness in his eyes that deducted the aura of graveness that was around him. Much like Oropher, Elrond's eyes were a light blue colour, although in this light they seemed to be verging more into a light lavender. Either way, it was a beautiful colour, that she couldn't deny. Unlike Oropher however, Elrond's hair was brunette in colour, the two when standing side by side couldn't look more opposite.

Was she expecting someone like Oropher? Liruliniel wasn't sure. Each elf had a lineage hailing from somewhere, sometimes even of a different source. So of course, the two important elves before her weren't going to appear to be similar. This silence was getting to her, and her eyes flicked to Oropher who just stood there expressionless with his arms by his sides. She frowned slowly, someone had to break this silence, and she had hoped it would be her king.

Liruliniel sighed softly, "I feel awkward and uncomfortable." There was no point denying this fact. She did, she really, really did. Something about her frank words had Elrond's lips tilting slightly upwards in an amused smile. Whereas Oropher just seemed to look at her with hardened eyes, was he expecting her to just stay silent? She thought he knew her better than that.

Elrond slipped a hand out from his long earthly coloured robe. He clearly had changed from arriving. Liruliniel knew a small handful of facts about the lord, one being he was as skilled a fighter as he was a healer, being such things. Considering the outside world and what could be happening, he of course arrived in armour. It would be foolish not to. But regardless, he gestured to the fireplace which burned steadily in the room.

Oropher followed suit and it became frighteningly apparent to Liruliniel that this whole thing was now out of his hands. He invited Elrond here, and anything from this point was in his hands, not Oropher's. Liruliniel wasn't sure how she felt about that; knowing her fate was now in a stranger's hands. She sat down, fidgeting on the edge of her seat as Elrond sat opposite to her. Oropher instead came and stood behind her chair, which had her looking upwards with confusion. He just rested a hand on the back of the plush chair and looked towards the fire. He looked thoughtful, distant and resigning. Liruliniel would go as far as defeated, it was a look she didn't quite like on his face.

"You are aware as to why I am here." Elrond started, earning her face turning to look at him. He sat back in the chair, seemingly being totally at ease within a place he clearly had never been before. Liruliniel frowned unsurely, the elves from Imladris seemed more relaxed. "A letter can only express so much, and I know it may seem a bit much to come all this way; but I would like to hear it from you. So, what have you seen, Liruliniel?" Elrond asked, no pressure in his voice at all as he just looked at her patiently.

So, she relayed the dreams, all of the details she could remember from the several she had from over a number of years. The relaxed posture of Elrond slowly dissipated as he sat straight backed, even leaning his chin against his palm as his eyes stared at her unwaveringly. His reaction was much the same as Oropher's, there was no way to keep the hesitant worry and fear from both of their expressions. She got it, what she was saying could well and truly bring them all into conflict. A conflict that they couldn't avoid.

"I know this evil of which you speak of, I have encountered it before." Elrond said at length after she had finished. He sighed defeatedly as he rubbed his forehead, he seemed hugely troubled. Liruliniel shifted in her seat, did he hope that she would come out with something else? That what Oropher scribed and wrote to him was a lie? Some falsity that she made up just for attention or something? "You are not the only one who has seen this coming too." Elrond continued on after a few moments of silence, Liruliniel glanced up at Oropher before looking back at Elrond, so far, her king had remained stony faced and silent.

"You?"

Elrond smiled at her blatant confusion. "Yes," he replied, shifting forwards to sit on the edge of his seat too. He rubbed his hands together before simply resting them in his lap. "There is more going on beyond your palace walls than I think you know. There is unrest, not so much civil, but there is something causing a tension in the air."

"All encompassing and suffocating," Liruliniel said slowly and quietly, her eyes growing distant as Elrond looked at her expectedly. She blinked and looked at him, "I have met that already. It made me unwell." She explained, Elrond seemed to understand with a knowing look. His eyes darted behind her before settling back on her. Liruliniel didn't like it, it was like they were having a separate conversation. She did feel a bit out of the loop. "I am to come with you when you leave tomorrow, am I not?"

Elrond seemed a little surprised with how simply she posed this question. Oropher let out a quiet chuckle behind her, "You're going to have to get used to that. Liruliniel here has a habit of not holding back." Oropher explained, which was true. Something was on her mind? Can bet she'd come out with a flurry of questions to make sense of whatever was troubling her. Ask for her opinion? Too right she'd give it, sometimes bluntly too. If Elrond was going to take Liruliniel under his wing for perhaps the foreseeable future, he should probably get used to some of her traits now.

"Yes," Elrond replied to her question though he took Oropher's words in as he nodded in his direction. "It is for the best."

"But do I have to leave? I mean, this is my home and although I have already said farewell to everyone I'd really rather not go."

Elrond looked sympathetic over her words. He could understand, with everything that happened within his life, he totally understood her hesitance. "You have already crossed paths with this darkness, if you continue to stay and have contact it will affect you, it can kill you or use you for its own means. Long exposure will lead to perhaps catastrophic events."

Liruliniel winced at that, she didn't want to fade and be taken over as an instrument of evil. "Imladris is safe?"

"It is." Elrond nodded, by far safer than this forest home. He was more surprised others couldn't feel the growing darkness. He felt it as soon as he entered.

"Will I be able to come back?"

"Yes. I don't know when, but yes."

Liruliniel pressed her lips into a thin line and looked at her hands. Flexing her fingers, she couldn't help but sigh. "I will come and learn, train and live under your care then." She knew it was happening, but it still wasn't fully sinking in.

"You will be all right." Oropher said from behind her, she looked slowly up at him. "It is not the same, but you can stay in touch."

She frowned and hesitantly nodded, "That is true." Although writing a letter definitely wasn't the same.

Oropher rested a hand on her shoulder, she looked back at him. "Remember, the first step will always be the hardest. This is for your own good, your safety, Liruliniel. If there was another way, wouldn't you think we would take it?" He for one had grown fond of the young elf, and he didn't want to see her get bought down by whatever maybe festering and growing within his forestry home. Not only that, if she had anymore dreams, who best to tell and discuss them with then someone who'd understand?

Liruliniel merely nodded, "It is all very daunting. I am scared, I will admit to that. But it is a fear of leaving here, alone. I will not have anyone with me, well, I know I will, but no one I know. I know I wanted to travel, and to help those within the land, but I did not think it would happen this way."

"It seems that there is something set into motion with you. But you aren't alone walking this path, the moment you believe you are, is the moment when you are at your weakest and open to susceptibility." Elrond said while shifting and standing up slowly, Liruliniel jumped up too and Oropher moved around to stand beside her. "We are all in this together. And we are best working together, then shutting each other out." He said, though his eyes did glance at Oropher briefly before looking back to Liruliniel.

She awkwardly smiled. She knew as well as anyone that the elves that dwelt here were quite content with staying by themselves, and to themselves. The outside world did not concern them, and they'd rather not know what was happening beyond their walls. Liruliniel didn't understand ignorance, nor did she like it. She for one was aware that yes, Elrond was right; they were all in this together, the only way to succeed was to be together. Not one person was singular and able to win a war alone.

"Come, you must be hungry after your journey; we have perhaps delayed enough in going to dinner." Oropher decided that whatever matters were left to discuss, could be done tomorrow. He could see Liruliniel was still a little overwhelmed and would need space to think, and Elrond was surely being looked for by those which had come with him.

Liruliniel bowed to them both before leaving first, she practically ran down the corridors. She got the feeling that they wanted to discuss something else, so she went. She slowed down when she saw the communal area, the hall seemed to be buzzing with noise. There were visitors, of course that was going to cause some commotion. No one here had seen any of their kin since moving down this way. Maybe some knew each other? She wasn't sure really. They were strangers to her, for now. The thought of trying to get to know a whole new group of people had her inhaling sharply. It was a daunting prospect.

Stepping forwards and turning into the hall, she wasn't surprised no one glanced her way. She looked around before moving over when she saw a hand shoot up and wave her way. She jogged over and sat down, Thalion looked at her seriously. He hadn't taken her spontaneous leaving very well. He didn't agree with it, and he was close to disputing it. Only Hérion had shot him down and Thranduil had said that she would be looked after. Elrond was not going to see harm done too Liruliniel. But it still didn't help matters that the siblings had only just got close again, and here she was having to leave.

"So?" Thalion lowered his cup and looked at her expectedly. He felt like he was losing control of a situation, but when he mused over it; it was a situation that he didn't fully have a grasp on in the first place. This seemed to be something that was going to come to a head sooner or later.

"Lord Elrond believes if I stay, I may end up coming to harm." She didn't say that she could end up harming others if she was taken over. Thalion didn't need to know that.

Thalion let out a scoff, Liruliniel frowned and looked around at the table before him. There seemed to be quite a few empty glasses, and bottles. There had evidently been others drinking with him, but they had disbanded. "We wouldn't let that happen," Thalion's words had her looking away from the empty containers and back to her brother.

She placed a hand on his arm. "Brother, there is nothing you can do to deter mental harm. This thing comes to me when I am at my most vulnerable, when I am sleeping. There is nothing anyone can do to protect themselves, or someone else, when that happens."

Thalion turned in his seat and looked at her, "Do you feel it up there?" He asked, lifting a shaky hand and tapping her temple, she shook her head slowly. "Exactly, so how do we know this isn't some ploy?"

"I think you're drunk." Which was some feint to be honest considering how much he must've drunk to become so. Elves had a very high tolerance for alcoholic substances.

"How could I not sit here and drink my sorrows? My sister is leaving on a trip which is as in the dark as the matters you proclaim to dream about. Even father doesn't know many if any details, and here I thought King Oropher would at least keep him in the loop."

"Can you not see that by keeping quiet, less people are likely to grow concerned and panic?" Liruliniel said, she leaned heavily against the table and stared at him. "It would cause civil unrest."

Thalion sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I get it. But..." He trailed off, his eyes looking tiredly at her.

"I know," Liruliniel said softly, she placed an arm around him. "I know," he didn't want her to go. He didn't need to physically say it, she knew. She felt exactly the same, she didn't want to leave here, or anyone. But if constant exposure could lead to a downhill spiral, it would be foolish of her not to take the chance to go. Elrond was supplying the ability for her to grow, to learn, to train under new tutors while also keeping an eye on her. It was house arrest really, but it looked quite appealing.

Thalion sniffed, he reached out and took a clean cup, or at least one that hadn't got remnants in it and filled it with wine. Handing it to her, he toasted them both before smiling softly. "You better stay in touch, or else I'm going to come over."

Liruliniel laughed and sipped at the wine. "Yes, not too sure how that would go down."

"I'll probably get banned entrance."

"Or kicked out entirely." Liruliniel pouted and laughed when he nudged against her shoulder. She placed her cup down; she traced the simple patterns which adorned the goblet shaped cup before her. She didn't feel much like drinking, not that she ever did. Sighing she looked up and just watched those around her, familiar faces that she may not know all the names of, but they were familiar, nonetheless. She looked around the hall itself, memorising the details which made up the high ceilings and pillars in the corners. It was so familiar, homely, she didn't know anything really about Imladris.

Patting her brother on the shoulder, she stood and left. She ditched her cup back on his table, knowing he'd probably drink what remained. She shuffled past small groups of people, before tapping the elf on the shoulder. Thranduil looked down at her, he was just standing there watching. Liruliniel raised an eyebrow, the elf he was watching was just talking away to Vanadessë, from the way he was clothed she guessed it was one that came with Elrond.

"You don't seem happy to have guests." Liruliniel looked up at him.

"I am content to see everyone pleased with them being here." Thranduil replied at length, Liruliniel just looked at him sceptically. Thranduil rolled his eyes with a sigh, "We were all together at one point in time, then we all disbanded. They are strangers, yet familiar. It gives everyone something to talk about, to focus on."

Liruliniel patted him on the arm, "There, there. When we leave, everyone will be focussed on you and your wedding again, don't you worry." She joked, Thranduil double took at her with a deep frown and narrowed eyes. Liruliniel just laughed, "I never knew you liked having all attention on you so much!" Liruliniel just continued joking, and laughing, much to his displeasure.

"I didn't mean it like that," he said in a rushed tone and sounding really quite annoyed.

Liruliniel sighed, she looked at him apologetically although he just turned his face and looked away. Liruliniel moved around and appeared in his line of sight, still looking very sorry and Thranduil just frowned and tried to look elsewhere again; of course it didn't work out, because there she was looking very disheartened. With a quiet groan, Thranduil flicked his eyes down to her. She smiled slowly, "I am uncertain whether I will be allowed to return for it."

"I know."

"No front row seat for me."

"Or no standing and going to sleep through it."

Liruliniel smiled softly and nodded, "I wouldn't sleep through your wedding." Thranduil raised an eyebrow, not believing her. "Well, maybe I would if it dragged on a bit." She sniffed and scratched her neck in thought. He rolled his eyes, again, now that wouldn't surprise him. Liruliniel looked at him seriously, it was sudden, and he looked curiously at her. "I wish you luck, Thranduil. I really do. I hope you get all you want, and the future is good for you, and to you." Liruliniel said, totally sincere. She couldn't think of harm coming to him, or sorrow. She didn't want to think of it. "You best look out for yourself because I'm not going to be here to do it for you." She said while grinning and pointing a finger his way.

Thranduil smiled, "Not that you've really done anything to warrant that." Which was true, she was a guard yes, but she hadn't actually had to guard him. "And anyway, your swordsmanship skills are still requiring some refining." He shrugged and looked around the bustling hall.

"The next time you see me, I'll prove you wrong." Liruliniel said seriously.

Thranduil looked at her, "You've constantly proved me wrong, Liruliniel. For as long as I have known you, you have always done that." Mainly because she always succeeded when she said she was going to do something, yes, he may have had doubts here and there, but she would prove him wrong. Liruliniel just smiled his way, turning fully and looking at her, Thranduil reached up and placed a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him with a confused frown. "I wish you luck for your future, Liruliniel. I thank you for your kind words, and all I can do is hope your future is similar. Don't annoy anyone, somehow, I get the feeling Lord Elrond's anger is as dangerous as my father's." Thranduil said pointedly, Liruliniel smiled and nodded slowly, somehow, she got the same feeling.

Silence flitted in between the pair then; they looked away from each other and around the space. "You know, Thalion said he'd come visit if I didn't write to him, would you be the same?"

Thranduil smirked slowly, "What, and disrupt the peace?"

Liruliniel gasped and went to hit him on the shoulder, he caught her hand with a sidelong look. "Take that back! I know you'll miss me, you already said so. It's pointless changing your tune now, especially to you enjoying the peace which will be left in my wake."

Thranduil let go of her hand and tucked his back behind his back. "You know I am joking. I am trying to make your last hours fond ones, full of laughter and joy. Don't go ruining it by starting a possible argument."

"You could've said you were joking! By the Valar, you're very annoying at times." Liruliniel huffed and crossed her arms.

Thranduil sighed and looked at her from the corner of his eyes. "And you're not? Now this is something which is a mutual understanding between us both I believe." Thranduil just listened to her guffaw slightly over his words yet pout and stay silent. Although that didn't last long before she quietly chuckled, Thranduil's lips turned slowly up into a smirk, he wouldn't join in with her laughter, but he found amusement within the moment regardless.

——

Edited: 20/June/25